Fais voir - English could be misunderstood

You show me, let me see it -- Is that the correct 'longhand' translation of "Fais voir" ?

I mean, if you translate it as "Let me see," misunderstanding can arise because that common English expression also has a completely different meaning: "Let me/us have a better look at this, let me/us think about this a moment."

That aside, what I am seeking is some French 'shorthand' for that latter meaning of "Let me see." Is there one ?

Merci.

Robert

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Permalink Reply by Robert on March 7, 2014 at 7:01am

Or "Fais voir" would do anyway?

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Permalink Reply by Vedas on March 7, 2014 at 9:27am

Hello,

Let me see if I can fix it : Voyons si je peux arranger ça/ laissez moi voir si je peux ....

So let me see if I understand you correctly: laisse moi récapituler pour voir si je te comprends bien.

Let me see/ show me/ what is left of what I gave you: Montre moi ce qu'il reste de ce que je t'ai donné.

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EducatorPermalink Reply by George Hunt on March 7, 2014 at 11:46am

I think there is "je peux voir ?" (as well as "fais voir" ) when you are asking to have a look at something that your interlocutor either has in his hands or has access to.

So you might say in English "give me a look" "can I see?" or "show me" when you anticipate that you will be almost immediately allowed to see what it is you are asking about.

So "je peux voir ?"and "fais voir " would be standalone phrases in this case -a mild interjection, if I am right.

Also "let me see" as a standalone could be "voyons" just to recapitulate , to pause for a bit ,to gather your thoughts "voyons, qu'est-ce que nous avons .....?)